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Bipin Joshi of Bhimdatta Municipality-3 of Kanchanpur, who went missing following the armed attacks by the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas on Israel, has been confirmed to be in the Gaza Strip of Palestine.

But, the latest situation of Joshi is unknown, the Nepali Embassy in Israel said.

Joshi was among those who were taken to Gaza by the Hamas militants after attacking in Kibbutz Alumim of southern Israel on October 7, the Embassy quoted the Israeli Defense Force as saying.

Joshi had gone to Israel under the 'Lean and Earn' programme offered by the Israel government for students under the Faculty of Agriculture in the Sudurpashim (Far-Western) University.

“Joshi was among those who were held captives by Hamas militants,” the Israel Defense Force spokesperson said, adding, “But we are yet to track his location. He is still out of contact and we are searching for him by using all the mechanisms.”

The government decision to ban TikTok, citing disruption of social harmony, family structure  and goodwill, has left everyone puzzled. There is no clear answer as to why the government abruptly shut down the popular video-sharing app. This move contradicts constitutional provisions and international commitments to safeguard freedom of speech and expression.  

While the government has the authority to ban apps affecting national security, social harmony, and law and order, the lack of clear reasons for the TikTok ban is problematic. Currently facing 10 writ petitions in the Supreme Court, and more in the pipeline, the government's decision is under scrutiny. Advocate Dinesh Tripathi, one of the petitioners, warns that the government may extend the ban on other apps as well.

The misuse of TikTok has been a persistent concern for government agencies, prompting continuous discussions between TikTok and the Nepal government regarding content regulation.  On 3 November, TikTok representatives presented a detailed working process, moderation and model of collaboration to the Nepal government. Earlier, an internet safety summit was organized in the presence of TikTok representatives, civil society and government officials. Similarly, TikTok has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Nepal Telecommunication Authority to create awareness about the misuse of the platform.

Also in June, TikTok provided access to the Trust and Enforcement Tool to Nepal to ensure the reporting of content that is in violation of local laws. TikTok says it has since removed around three million videos by Nepali users for violating community standards. It appears that the government's desire for complete control over the so-called objectionable content led to the ban.

According to one government source, the ban was prompted after TikTok refused to remove all the videos that were flagged by the government.  The government's decision lacks transparency, with no specific reasons shared with the public. Three major political parties—Nepali Congress, CPN-UML and CPN (Maoist Center)—have by and large remained mum about the ban. Minister for Information and Communication Technology Rekha Sharma has suggested that there was an all-party consensus to ban TikTok. 

The silent position taken by major parties backs Sharma’s claim of all-party consensus. While some Congress leaders including Gagan Kumar Thapa, Bishwa Prakash Sharma and Shekhar Koirala have opposed the decision, the party President, Sher Bahadur Deuba, has not said anything.

In an all-party meeting held a few days ago, leaders expressed their concerns over the use of TikTok to disturb social harmony and religious tolerance. Following the discussion, the government came up with social media guidelines, asking the public to avoid the misuse of social media. Observers say, major parties may have agreed to ban TikTok after new political parties and rabble-rousers were heavily featured on TikTok clips where they defamed politicians and government. Security agencies have also expressed concerns about the misuse of TikTok to create social discord. A senior security officer says there were several videos on TikTok that created discord and disharmony among various religious and ethnic groups. 

But former deputy inspector general of Nepal Police, Hemanta Malla, says the government’s ban on TikTok cannot be justified. He notes that  there are far more objectionable contents on other platforms. Some experts say geopolitical factors may also have influenced the government’s decision to ban TikTok, as there have been global concerns about TikTok's potential threat to data security.  The ban has particularly hit small businesses, especially those led by women. For them, TikTok was a crucial platform to promote their products and brands. The app also helped to promote Nepal’s tourism destinations.

After India along with 59 Chinese-owned apps  banned TikTok in 2020, Nepal was the largest market for the platform.  The ban by India came shortly after a clash between Indian and Chinese troops at a disputed Himalayan border killed 20 Indian soldiers and injured dozens. 

As TikTok does not want to lose its user base in Nepal, its representatives are in Kathmandu to negotiate the lift on the ban. Experts suggest regulating the platform instead of a complete ban, but government officials argue that Nepal lacks sufficient mechanisms for content regulation. The plea for social media giants to open offices in Kathmandu echoes the need for better regulation rather than outright prohibition.

According to news agency AP, TikTok, owned by China’s ByteDance, has faced scrutiny in a number of countries because of concerns that Beijing could use the app to harvest user data or advance its interests. 

Countries including the United States, Britain and New Zealand have banned the app on government phones despite TikTok repeatedly denying that it has ever shared data with the Chinese government and would not do so if asked, according to AP.  It has 1 billion uses globally. Nepal has banned all pornographic sites in 2018. 

TikTok, owned by Chinese technology company Bytedance, has long maintained that it doesn’t share data with the Chinese government. It says a project to store American user data in the U.S. will put it out of China’s reach and it disputes accusations that it collects any more user data than U.S. social media companies do, according to AP. 

Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua was crowned the 2023 Miss Universe at the culmination of the annual beauty pageant, which took place on Saturday night in El Salvador’s capital, San Salvador. Anntonia Porsild of Thailand placed as first runner-up, CNN reported.

The winners of 84 countries’ national pageants had competed at this year’s Miss Universe, judged by a panel including model Halima Aden, “Queer Eye” star Carson Kressley, TikTok influencer Avani Gregg and two former Miss Universe winners, Janelle Commissiong of Trinidad & Tobago (Miss Universe 1977) and Iris Mittenaere of France (Miss Universe 2016).

Twenty semi-finalists were announced at the beginning of Saturday night’s proceedings following the results of the preliminary competition (and a global fan vote). After the swimsuit round, the field was narrowed to 10 — seeing the elimination of the first “curvy” contestant to make the pageant’s semi finals, Miss Nepal, as well as the first contestant to choose a burkini as their swimsuit, Miss Pakistan. The evening gown round cut the number of contestants in half again.

Two rounds of hot topic Q&As then left just three women in contention: Palacios, Porsild and second runner-up Moraya Wilson of Australia, according to CNN.

Asked in the final round who she would choose to spend a day in the life of, Palacios chose the 18th-century British philosopher and feminist Mary Wollstonecraft, who she said broke boundaries and “gave an opportunity to many women.”

“There are no limitations for women today,” she added, via a translator.

Miss Colombia, Camila Avella, and Miss Puerto Rico, Karla Guilfú, rounded out the top five, while another member of the top 10, Spain’s Athenea Pérez, was crowned the pageant’s Miss Congeniality.

Palacios succeeds the 2022 Miss Universe, R’Bonney Gabriel of the USA, CNN reported.

Chhath festival, one of the major festivals of the country and predominantly observed in the Tarai region, is being celebrated today by worshiping the sun.

As a major part of the festival, the setting sun is worshiped by offering argha while the same process is followed to worship the rising sun on Monday morning to bring the festival to an end.

Tonight, the revelers observe a fast and stay awake all night and offer prayers to the rising sun tomorrow morning.

Banks of rivers, streams and ponds across the country are decorated for the Chhath festival.

It is widely believed that observing a fast in obeisance of Chhathi goddess will bring desired results and well-being for the family and all of their sorrows and troubles will vanish away.

Meanwhile, the federal government has announced a public holiday today to mark the festival.